Authors' notes: This will probably contain spoilers for Suikoden 1, 2 and 3. So please play the games first if you don't want spoilers. And the flame champion's name will be Hikaru.

Request: Beta reader please…If anyone is interested please e-mail me. I know this is a bit selfish, but I don't want to do this alone. As some of you can tell my grammar isn't good and neither is my story structure, despite I'm a native English speaker. I'm more of a script writer, and I wish this story to look like a novel style. Thank-you.

A leaders burden

The morning sun stretched its arms over the grasslands and Zexen. The birds fluttered around and sung in sweet harmony. As the people began their daily morning routines, the knights took in the morning sun and sighed. Percival and Leo were outside taking in the morning freshness of summer. They took a walk along Brass castle until they stopped by the place where they found Chris and Geddoe's crew members.

Percival shook his head. "How could anyone do that to Milady?"

Leo pounded his first together. "When we find the guy, he'll wish he never laid eyes on lady Chris."

Percival nodded. "We'll get him. No one does that to our captain and walks away free."

"I hope the search party Salome organized will find those bastards."

Percival put a thoughtful finger on his chin. "Rumor has it, Hugo was the one who did this."

"Hugo?" Leo couldn't believe it, why would Hugo do something like this? "Chris didn't have any burn marks on her, and he couldn't have taken Geddoe and Chris at once. Even with the True Wind Rune."

"Well some of the guards saw a giant Griffon, who else could of pulled that off."

"I guess you're right. Damn, what could of made Hugo succumb to this. This isn't like him. Is it?"

Percival shrugged. "He probably had his reasons, as does everyone."

"Well, lets go back to check on Chris." Leo suggest, leaving the entrance.

"Yes, Borus and Louis haven't slept since Chris was asleep. We should try to cheer them up."

"I just hope you're not talking about your lame jokes." Leo frowned.

Percival smiled. "I guess it can't be helped."

Chris, blinked as the morning sunlight shifted on to her face. Moaning, she pushed herself to sit up. Opening her eyes wearily and she looked around her room. She remembered vaguely what had happened last night. She could only remember Hugo was there, and the other boy she couldn't make out since it was dark. The name that Hugo spoke of sounded familiar. A name she heard of before, but couldn't remember where.

"Lady Chris." called out a boy.

Chris turned her head to see Louis bring in some wet towels and water. "Louis, those…"

"Oh, these…" Louis began to blush, as he set it next to the table near Chris' bed. "I'm so glad you're alright. I was, I was so worried you wouldn't wake up."

Chris looked over herself and found it odd that there were no wounds what so ever. "Louis, was I injured when you found me?"

"No. But you weren't moving so we feared for the worst. The doctor said that your strength was drained, so you weren't able to move. Geddoe and his crew suffered from the same thing."

Chris' eyes widen. "Geddoe?"

"Yes, we found both of you unconscious in the sewers."

"I remember now." Chris nodded. "Yes, Geddoe was at the door when it happen. Hugo was there as well."

"So it was him then." Louis said under his breath.

"What?"

Louis shook his head. "There was a rumor that it was Hugo did this. I guess its true then."

"I'm not sure about that." Chris looked out the window. "There was another boy. I think I have seen him somewhere before."

"Another boy?"

"Yes." Chris got out of her bed and made her way to the window. "He looked familiar. His eyes, they also reminded me of someone."

"Who?" Louis asked titling his head. A part of him hoped she was referring to him, yet he knew that she probably meant someone else.

"Thomas I think. Yes, him." Chris nodded.

Louis' mouth dropped. That scrawny weak guy? How on earth could Chris think about him. Louis calmed himself, by remembering that they did fight together 3 years ago. So perhaps she is just remembering that time.

"I didn't get a good look at him though, it was too dark for me to see." Chris sighed.

"Lady Chris." called another voice. Borus and the other knights entered Chris' room one by one.

"We're glad to see you're alright Lady Chris." Roland smiled.

Chris shook her head. "I'm fine. Where is Geddoe and his crew members?"

"They woke up a few minutes ago." Salome said.

"I see. So is there any news on the Wind rune?"

"No Milady." Salome closed his eyes and shook his head. "It appears they didn't go back to Kayara either. We searched the whole village, and none of the villagers would talk."

"You mean they know where they are?"

"Possibly. We can't force the information from them thought since that would result in another war."

"But they stole the wind rune from us." Louis frowned. "Its their fault to begin with."

Salome shook his head again. "The rune wasn't originally Zexen's anyway, but I guess the dead can't claim their possessions."

Chris remembered what Hugo said to her. The rune didn't belong to Zexen. "Salome, tell the council I'll be in charge of the search party."

"Are you sure Milady?" Percival asked.

"You just recovered so you should take it easy." Borus pointed out.

Chris shook her head. "I'll be fine. I want to know why Hugo stole the wind rune in the first place. There must be a reason."

Borus walked up to Chris and said "If you're going, then I'm going with you."

"So will the rest of us, right." Percival said as he looked around at the others.

Everyone nodded in agreement and then their attention went to Salome. "I'll notify the council members then. Why don't the rest of you go on ahead with out me."

"Alright." Chris nodded at him. "Please be quick then. We'll start looking through the grasslands."

Chris got on her armor and took her bag of potions and healing herbs. When she went downstairs, she saw Geddoe and his crew waiting for her. Chris blinked at the older man.

"What are you doing here?" Chris asked.

Queen smirked while flicking her hair back. "We were assigned to retrieve the True Wind Rune, so we're going to join you on your hunt."

"Yeah, our reputation depends on this job." Ace shrugged. "So we want to team up with you."

"Thank-you, but this is Zexen problem. So please, let us do our job." Chris frowned.

"Mcdohl Mcdohl." Geddoe said roughly.

"What did you say?" Chris asked looking at Geddoe.

"Mcdohl Mcdohl." Geddoe said again in the same voice tone. "That play stupid Nadir made us do. One of the characters was named Mcdohl Mcdohl."

Chris shook her head. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"That boy, his name. It was Tir Mcdohl." the frown on Geddoe's face grew longer.

"Tir." Chris thought for a moment and then remembered Hugo calling the other boy that name. Then she finally knew who Tir Mcdohl was. "Tir Mcdohl. The leader of the Liberation army in the Gate Rune wars."

Geddoe didn't say anything, and merely nodded.

"So what does this all mean?" Chris looked at Geddoe, but when he gave her no response, she looked at his crew members.

"Beats me." Ace shrugged.

"Well lets work together for the time being." Chris nodded. "We can exchange information to where they might of gone."

"Alright lets go then." Ace said as they began to leave Brass castle.

"I'll catch up with you when my men assemble."

"Fine, we'll see you later then." Ace waved as they left.

Chris took a deep sigh as she watched them leave, her face slowly change into a worried expression. "I don't understand any of this. What could it mean?"

***

Hugo stretched out his arms in the morning sun. The open fields were as golden as the sun. Hugo knew that it would be too dangerous for them to go back to Kayara, so he set up camp in the grasslands. They were near the hideaway between the Lizard caves and the duck village. As Hugo looked at the clear blue sky he started to think about last night. He couldn't believe what he and Tir had done. Hugo still didn't understand Tir's intentions other then he was going to give the rune to someone worthy of it. Someone that the rune would choose itself. Hugo wished Tir would trust him enough to tell him who that person was. Tir didn't even tell him why he was alone.

Fubar nuzzled its beak against Hugo's back playfully and cooed as Hugo petted him gently.

"I don't understand Fubar. Why does Tir try to be so distant. We both bare true runes right?"

Fubar continued to coo as Hugo petted him.

"Well I guess I shouldn't be nosey anyway. I wonder if Tir is awake yet."

Tir was still in the tent sleeping. He used too much energy the other night. Tir opened his eyes to the morning's sunlight.

"Good morning." Hugo smiled as he entered the tent. "Are you hungry? I got two bunnies."

"Oh, thank-you." Tir said sleepily. He took the piece of meat Hugo gave him and stuffed it in his mouth.

"Hey, don't eat so fast. Otherwise you'll chock."

"I'm fine." Tir said wiping his mouth with his fist, and got up to his feet. "We should keep moving."

Hugo became frustrated and stood right in front of Tir, so he wouldn't be able to walk any further. "Look I don't know what's going on, but I do know that you need to take it easy. If you push yourself too much you'll collapse."

Tir looked over his shoulder and sighed. "I guess you're right. I'm sorry."

Hugo sighed in relief. "Tir please take it easy. You can't keep pushing yourself like this."

"I know. Thank-you." Tir said shyly.

"Its alright." Hugo nodded. "We'll leave as soon as you're done eating."

Tir nodded and continued to eat the bunny.

"So who is this person you're seeking anyway?" Hugo asked.

Tir gulped the meat down with some water from a canteen. "I can't say." Tir shrugged.

"Hey, come on!" Hugo said with a worried look. "We're partners now, so can't you at least give me a hint."

Tir looked at Hugo, who was anxiously waiting for his answer. "I can't."

"Man, at least tell me what I'm risking my neck for."

"I'm sorry." Tir stopped eating and looked down to the ground. "I made a promise to someone."

Hugo took a deep sigh. "Alright. I understand, it must be something important."

Tir shyly looked at Hugo. "Sorry about all this."

"It's no problem." Hugo smiled. "I want to help you. Your eyes seem to have a hard look of determination."

Tir smiled at the remark. "A lot of people say that."

"I guess it's because you are a great leader."

Tir finished off the bunny and stood up. "Okay I'm ready. Lets go then."

"Right." Hugo nodded.

While the boys continued their journey to find the one worthy of possessing the True Wind Rune, Chris and Geddoe were getting ready to leave. Geddoe and his crew were offered to have horses, but they preferred to walk. They met at the entrance between the grassland and Zexen, as the knights rode up to them, Chris looked down at Geddoe.

"We'll search the eastern area of the grasslands."

"Fine, we'll search west then." Geddoe turned towards the exit and started to leave with his crew.

Chris sighed, and took a deep breath. "Lets go as well."

Her loyal knights all nodded at her and followed Chris to the eastern part of the grasslands. They rode eastward and started with the duck village. It has been 3 years since they had been there. There was more trade then before and the villagers seemed busy. The knights asked the villagers if they had seen Hugo and another young boy. Most of the villagers shook their heads until they went to the item shop where the duck claims that Hugo and another boy was in his store.

"When did you see them?" Chris asked.

"A month ago. They bought some items here."

"What did they buy?"

"A rope with a grappler, and some sleep scrolls."

"Did you know what they wanted with them?"

"No. I just assumed they were going to Mt.Senai for a mountain climb."
"I see. Thank-you then." Chris exited the item shop with a pondering look. No one had seen them coming this way yesterday. Someone must of noticed Fubar walking around. They couldn't have gone all the way to Alam Kinan, or Chisha. They would have to go through the grasslands all night. It seems that they were planning this for quiet some time. So its possible if they went to further in the grasslands.

"Lady Chris." Chris' thoughts were interrupted when Louis called her. "Lady Chris, Geddoe and his men found some clues."

"What clues?"

"Some of the Lizards saw Hugo and Tir Mcdohl heading westward of the grasslands."

"Westward?"

"Yes, Milady. Geddoe and his men are currently looking towards the situation. Should we join them?"

"Yes. Get the horses ready, I'll rally up the men."

Louis nodded and started to get the horses ready while Chris went looking for her knights.

Meanwhile, Geddoe and his crew were walking towards the westward side of the grasslands. They were all strong enough now to take down any monster that dared challenge them. Each of them were able to hit the enemy 3 times before it could make a move. Jacques and Aila also learned a new combo attack together. They called the new attack Heaven's rain. They would fire multiple arrows in the air and the arrows would rain down on the enemy. After hours of walking, Ace proposed that they rest for a bit.

"Hey guys, how about we rest for a bit. The old man looks tired." Ace said looking at Joker.

Joker turned red at the comment and snapped at him. "What? You're the one who's tired. Stop trying to blame others."

"What? I just thought you looked tired that's all. I was trying to be considerate."

"Considerate my ass. You're just making up excuses as usual."

"Hey knock it off you two." Queen frown. "How much more can you bicker."

"Actually, I could use a breather." Aila sighed. "We've been walking around looking for those thieves for over an hour. I could use soda."

Geddoe shrugged. "Fine, we'll rest for a bit. We'll continue on afterwards."

"Sounds good to me." Ace grinned, then looked at everyone. "So who brought the food?"

Everyone looked at each other. "Food?"

Queen put a hand on her hip and smirked looking at Ace. "I thought it was your job to bring the food."

"Me? I do all the finical stuff. Why would it be my reasonability?"

Jacques turned away from the group and started to walk away.

"Hey Jacques, where you going?" Ace asked.

"Since we have no food I'll hunt for some animals to eat."

"I'll come too." Aila smiled happily at Jacques. Jacques merely blushed to see her sweet smile. Aila titled her head at Jacques and asked, "Did I say some thing wrong?"

"Hey you two." Queen called. "Make sure what ever you get is big enough for all of us to share."

They both nodded at each other and the left the group to catch some meat. The others took a drink from the water they brought and rested a bit on the long soft grass. While the others were waiting for their lunch, Chris and her knights rode in. Geddoe turned his head at the sound of galloping horses, while the others got up.

"Lord Geddoe." Chris nodded. "We got your message. Did you find them?"

Geddoe closed his eye and frowned. "We were on our way, when we decided to stop for lunch."

"Lunch?" Borus snarled. "How can you eat at a time like this?"

Chris smiled and shrugged. "We'll take care of the rest then Lord Geddoe. Thank-you."

"Shouldn't you eat first?"

"When we find Hugo and Mcdohl then we'll eat." Chris frowned. As they were about to leave, Chris' stomach began to growl. Chris blushed from the sound as everyone stood there with their eyes wide open.

"You're welcome to join us."

The redness on Chris' face began to spread. "Fine. Once we eat, we'll continue on."

The Knights nodded and settled down beside Geddoe and his men.

Meanwhile, Tir and Hugo had done the same thing and stopped to get something to eat. They went to Mt.Hei-Tou to find some wild boars. The boars were easy to find since they would constantly challenge the boys into fighting them. They rested near the pond with fresh water and began to eat the boar.

"It's a beautiful day today isn't it?" Tir smiled.

"Yeah it is." Hugo smiled. "We're almost there. So we can relax a bit."

"I'm glad." Tir rotated his shoulders and let them crack to relieve some sore muscles.

"Uh, Tir."

"Hmm?"

"Luc was your friend right?"

Tir nodded. "He was." a low sigh came out and Tir turned his gaze towards the lake. "Luc wasn't a bad guy. He was rude at times, but I believe he had his reasons. We had some good times together and even though he wouldn't admit it, I think he was happy when everyone was together. I wish I was able to talk to him before he decided to do such a dangerous thing. I might have been able to stop him. We both have dreadful pasts."

"So what keeps you going?"

Tir looked at his hand and then smiled at Hugo. "I need to be strong to go throw the challenges ahead of me. Besides, I was given this rune by someone close to me. And I can't betray his trust by giving up easily."

Hugo smiled softly. "I know what you mean."

"Well we're done eating. We should be going."

"Yeah. Lets go."

Fubar cooed at them and walked closely behind.

The boys continued on their journey, while the search party drew closer to them. Geddoe and the others were finished lunch, so they continued their search for the boys. The knights were racing on their horses trying to find them. Alia tried to use the spirits to help them look for them, but they didn't respond. Alia frowned and shook her head.

"This is strange. Very strange. Why won't they talk to me about Tir."

"What does this mean?" Queen asked.

"It seems the spirits are siding with Hugo and Tir."

"Is that possible?" Joker asked.

"Well the spirits are living beings that can act on their own, but for them to actually side with someone is strange. What are the hiding?" Alia sighed.

Geddoe started to walk to the north-west direction.

"Boss. Where are you going?" Ace asked.

"Follow me." Geddoe started to run towards the direction and everyone followed him.

The knights noticed Geddoe going north-west and decided to follow him as well. Chris wondered what Geddoe sensed that she couldn't. Geddoe seemed to be sure of himself, and her instincts told her to follow him.

Tir and Hugo continued walking until Tir held Hugo's shoulder to stop him. Hugo looked behind and then back at Tir.

"What is it?" Hugo asked.

"Do you hear horses?" Tir asked placing a hand behind his ear.

"Horses?" Hugo questioned and then placed a hand behind his ear to listen better. Although the sound was faint, he could hear the hooves of the Zexen horses. He recognized the sound anywhere. It was the Zexen knights. "Its them!"

Tir looked around and then pulled Hugo. "We can hide near the rocks over there."
Hugo looked at the direction Tir was pulling and his mouth dropped open. Tir was heading towards the rocks near the ocean. "You're kidding. If we go there they'll chase us until we fall off the edge of the cliff."

"We have no other choice." Tir said grabbing Hugo's arm and running towards the rocks.

Fubar followed them, they ran towards the large boulders and hid when the knights came into sight.

Chris scanned the area looking for anything unusual or out of place. Chris took out her sword waiting for the enemy to pop out from any direction.

"Where did they go?" Percival looked around the area. "Did they give us the slip."

"Wait." Chris said holding her hand up. "Those rocks."
"They wouldn't be dumb enough to hide there." Leo frowned.

"There's no other place for them to go. We should look here just to make sure." Chris got off her horse and started walking towards the area.

Tir, Hugo and Fubar were behind a huge boulder. Tir shook his head. "Isn't she a friend of yours?"

"Well, sort of. We fought in a war together, but because of Zexen's treaty we began war again. So…"

Tir narrowed his eyes at Chris. "Great, and she's coming this way."

"Damn, we can't fight her."

"Why not?"

"If we did, then the other knights would come after us, we can't take all of them on by ourselves."

Tir looked at the rest of the knights and nodded. "I guess that makes sense. Alright, we'll avoid fighting." Tir then drew out his staff.

"I thought you said we weren't going to fight."

"We're not." Tir smirked. He then jammed his staff, wedging it in the bottom of the rock. We're using this as a distraction. We I give the signal, run alright."

Hugo took a hard gulp and nodded. They could both see the knights coming closer and closer towards them. Tir was waiting for the right moment.

"Just a little closer." Tir whispered.

Suddenly Fubar squalled.

"Fubar, Hush!" Hugo snapped, then he noticed why Fubar squalled. Geddoe and his crew were on the other side and already spotted them.

"There they are." Alia pointed.

"Tir!!" Hugo cried.

Tir looked back and gasped for a second before he pushed the boulder over to knock the knights over. The boulder trigger the other rocks to move and caused a rock slide.

"Look out!!" Leo called out. The knights retreated except for Chris. Who was determined to capture the boys.

Chris shifted left and right to dodge the moving rocks and made her way upwards.

Tir and Hugo looked back and forth.

"Crap. Now we have no choice but to fight." Hugo growled as he took out his knife.

Everyone else took out their weapons as well.

"Why?" Chris demanded. "Why did you steal the rune?"

"Hugo, hand over the rune. It belongs to Harmonia now. Do you want the entire Harmonia army after you." Ace frowned.

"Hugo, what could Lord Mcdohl possibly have told you that would make you steal the True Wind Rune."

Hugo shook his head. "This rune belonged to Luc. It wasn't meant to be Zexen's or Harmonia's toy. Even you have to agree to that."

"Even so." Chris frowned. "I can't let you steal that rune."

"The one that should be questioned isn't Hugo." Geddoe frowned. "Its Tir Mcdohl."

Tir said nothing and held his staff in a fighting position.

"I don't know what you're doing, but we need that rune back." Geddoe then held his sword in a fight position. "But if you won't hand it over, I'll take it from you."

"Hugo." Tir whispered.

"I know." Hugo nodded. "Fubar!"

Fubar then squall a siren. Everyone covered their ears from the loud sound. Hugo and Tir were about to escape when the floor began to shake.

"Fubar! Stop!!" Hugo yelled.

The rocks began to move and separate. The ground shifted and everyone began to fall into the earth. A scream escaped from their mouths as they all fell into the earth. They were swallowed into the ground and nothing could be seen afterwards.